Adoption Services

Some foster
children will never go back to their birth family. We are committed
to the principle that every one of these children deserves a "forever
family". We have the firm belief that a safe, permanent, and
nurturing home can be found for any child who needs one. We also
firmly believe that we are responsible for enabling this. Adoption
Services are designed to find permanent homes for children and to
provide support to the families who adopt them.

Children waiting
for adoption include:

Children
with special needs, such as physical, mental, and emotional disabilities

Sibling groups
and teenagers

Minority
children, especially African American males

Many children
available for adoption are eligible for monthly maintenance payments,
medical benefits, and other services. Adoption Assistance is available
for all children whose status and special needs meet certain criteria.
Children who are considered special needs include children with
physical, mental, developmental, and emotional disabilities as well
as sibling groups, older children, and children of color. The child's
Department of Social Services determines individual eligibility
based on specific criteria. The agency then negotiates with adoptive
parents to meet needs through an adoption assistance agreement.

The monthly
adoption assistance payment in North Carolina is computed on a graduated
level based on the age of the child. Most of North Carolina's 100
local county Departments of Social Services have raised their rates to
the following payment structure:

$475.00 for children 0-5
$581.00 for children 6-12
$634.00 for children 13-18

Supplemental
adoption assistance payments for HIV positive children are also
available and are set at the following level:

Like most states, North Carolina utilizes an Adoption Exchange program called NC Kids that serves to connect children needing homes to families wanting to adopt. Program Consultants at NC Kids answer inquiries from families interested in the adoption process. NC Kids also continually updates a web site to connect waiting children and families. Most of the foster children available for adoption in North Carolina are on the web site, along with a photo and a brief profile about the child or sibling group. The website may be accessed by clicking of the Foster Child Adoption link, or from any internet-connected computer at the following address: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/adopt/index.htm.

If you would like more information about Adoption Services in North
Carolina, contact the NC Kids Adoption and Foster Care Network at
1-877 NCKIDS-1 (1-877-625-4371). You may also contact your
local county Department of Social Services.

We strive to keep this information as accurate as possible. If information on this page needs to be updated, please Email us.